In town: Shrewsbury. This is a gracious, spacious perch with parking in the centre of this historic town in Shropshire. Both the enormous living room and kitchen are swelled further by bay windows, and both bedrooms are doubles. It’s just a shame there’s no private sunbathing plot. Yours for £295,000.
Balfours, 01743 353511

Wreck of the week: London. Edwardes Square in W8 is the site of this two-bed flat. It is cosmetically faded – £30,000-plus would refit it – so comes with a £350,000 price tag: a chance for more ordinary budgets to live among millionaires. The price, however, also reflects the 14-year lease – you’d need £40,000 or so to renew it. Residents share a garden and a porter.
Douglas & Gordon, 020 7581 1152

In the country: Devon. This is huge (five double bedrooms, three receptions), quaint (beams and inglenooks) and just a mile from a beach in Kingston, near Modbury. The only drawback is that it opens straight on to the lane. Cost: £495,000
Marchand Petit, 01548 831163

Dream home: Cornwall. This £1m beach front end-of-terrace is in the fishing town of St Ives, which has a rich art history as well as a selection of good restaurants and bars. This three-bedder is perfectly situated between Porthmeor beach, which you can enjoy from the balcony, and Tate St Ives. The interior is modern and stylish, including underfloor heating and a glass atrium which lets light flood into the open-plan living area. It is 24 miles from Cornwall’s capital, Truro, and 38 miles from Newquay airport.Savills, 01872 243 200

Overseas home: Italy. This converted 14th-century monastery is in the lush countryside of Marche with beautiful sea and mountain views, just three hours from Rome and Bologna and 45 minutes from Ancona airport. It has its own deconsecrated chapel, eight bedrooms and nine bathrooms with an additional independent 90sqm apartment and swimming pool. Golfers will be pleased with the five-hole golf course. Yours for €2,950,000.Hamptons International, +39 06 688 928 70